Q: Could I have Toxic Shock Syndrome?
Dear Dr. Mel
i came on my period during a school activity trip.
i put a tampon in at the beginning of the day and we went out canoeing but I didnt have a chance to change it, so it was in for more than 8 hours.
i also wore one during the night but i didnt wake up within eight hours. could i get TSS?
Lucy, 15
A: Dear Lucy
I'd place big money on: No Harm Done.
If you were to get Toxic Shock Syndrome, it would be here by now. It happens fast: fever, rash, vomiting - Big Time Unwell. You can't miss it.
TSS is extremely rare. Fewer than 40 people get this each year in the whole of the UK. The UK population is 62 million. So the stats are on your side.
TSS is an extreme reaction to a toxin (or poison) made by a particular type of bacteria. Nobody is 100% sure how tampons are related. But it makes sense not to leave anything festering inside us.
So what to do:
• Change your tampon every 4-8 hours. Don't overdo it: Dragging dry tampons out can chafe.
• Alternate with pads once in a while. Obviously not while perfecting your Eskimo Roll. But maybe at night.
• Use a tampon with the minimum absorbency to control your flow.
• Always wash hands before AND after bunging one in.
I recently removed a 42 day-old tampon from someone. That's over 1000 hours. The owner had forgotten it and carried on using other tampons (we can fit more than one inside). I don't recommend trying this. But she was totally fine. And I'm sure you will be too.
*Dr Mel is a GP in east London
Last week's letter: My mate's had her period for 6 months
